Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United (5-1 agg) recap: Pep Guardiola's rampant side set up League Cup final against Arsenal

Manchester City will face Arsenal in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final after thumping Newcastle United 3-1 in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday, winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate.

Already leading 2-0 following a handy away win at St James’ Park in the first leg, Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders put City in firm control with first-half goals.

Marmoush netted the opener after just seven minutes when his shot fortunately deflected off Dan Burns and over Aaron Ramsdale, before he nodded home a close-range header at the back post to double City’s advantage on the half-hour mark.

Newcastle had their chances in the first half through Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon but James Trafford made two excellent saves to keep The Magpies at bay.

City had a third when Reijnders coolly slotted beyond former Gunners goalkeeper Ramsdale to stretch the hosts' aggregate advantage to five before the break, as Newcastle’s last remaining hopes of defending their title fizzled away.

Eddie Howe’s side missed more golden opportunities to close the gap on City during the second period when substitute Yoane Wissa shot wide. But they eventually got their goal when Anthony Elanga curled an effort beyond Trafford.

Elanga had the chance for his and Newcastle’s second but fluffed his lines when Harvey Barnes put the ball on a plate for him in the middle of the box.

Erling Haaland came off the bench to force a couple of saves out of Ramsdale but his services were not required on an easy night for City, as they booked their first League Cup final appearance in four years after winning it every year from 2018-2021.

"We showed a very good mentality, we were together as a team, from the first minute we were very focused on the job and we showed our mentality and passion in this game and we are very happy to reach a final.

"I am very happy to score two goals, I wish I could get a hat-trick today. Hopefully we can win the final.

Eight-time winners City are back in the Carabao Cup final for the first time in four years!

First and second in the Premier League will clash in the capital on March 22 - a repeat of the 2018 final between City and Arsenal.

He brings down Elanga just outside the box and is cautioned.

There will be two minutes added at the end of the second half.

This time with his right foot, he aims for the bottom right corner and Ramsdale is at full stretch to deny him.

Rico Lewis replaces Gonzalez.

Haaland breaks through on goal one-on-one and you expect the net to bulge, but Ramsdale makes a big save to his left to deny the Norweigian!

Elanga cuts the ball back across the six-yard box to Wissa but he can't get his foot to it and the ball flashes across goal!

The midfielder picks up a cheap booking.

Striker William Osula is on for Trippier.

What could be worse for Newcastle?

Erling Haaland comes on in a triple change, with Rayan Cherki and Rodri also making an entrance.

Foden, Semenyo and O'Reilly make way.

Barnes charges down the left and there are black and white shirts queuing up in the box as the winger squares the ball to Elanaga, who completely shanks it wide despite being unmarked in front of goal.

Four big chances for Newcastle, four misses.

But the flag is up straight away.

Elanga breaks down the right and slots in Wissa, who is miles offside, before he squares it to Barnes to finish well.

Newcastle might be heading for a 12th defeat on the road at Man City, but it is their first goal in the fixture under Eddie Howe.

Progress!

Hang on!

Newcastle get one back though, Elanga, who breaks into the City box from the right, cuts in on his left foot and curls an effort around Trafford.

A great finish from the former Manchester United player!

Defender Malick Thiaw shoots from outside the box, but it's well off target.

After a VAR check, it has been confirmed that there will be no spot kick for Newcastle.

Replays showed Alleyne hauling down Wissa in a clumsy moment, but it would have been soft.

In the meantime, City fly down the other end and the ball is crossed to Reijnders in the middle of the box, but this time he diverts it wide.

Down the other end, Wissa goes down in the box and there are stronger shouts for a spot-kick, but we play on for now.